Emerson Council unanimously approves ordinance to ban smoking in public parks

The Emerson Council unanimously approved an ordinance banning smoking in all public parks during its meeting on May 20.

The ordinance prohibits smoking in all parks, playgrounds and recreational areas. Anyone caught violating the new ordinance could face fines of $250 for a first offence, $500 for a second offense and $1,000 for any subsequent offences.

Borough residents at the meeting reported recently seeing local youths smoking in Ackerman Park. Tom Lahey said he hoped the new ordinance would help discourage young people from smoking.

"I think this is long overdue," Lahey said.

Al Ferrara from the Bergen County Department of Health Services and the Bergen-Hudson Chronic Disease Coalition thanked officials for passing the ordinance.

"It's a win-win situation, not only for the young, but for all people," he said.

Emerson's ordinance was a modified version of a sample provided by Global Advisors on Smokefree Policy (GASP). A coalition of health groups has been pushing for a smoking ban in all New Jersey parks to help combat diseases caused by secondhand smoke, according to Ferrara.

"This is something that can kill people," he said.

Ferrara brought some "no smoking" signs for the borough to the meeting when the ordinance was approved. The ordinance also makes it illegal to deface one of the signs.

About 30 Bergen County towns have banned smoking in their parks so far, including Woodcliff Lake the night before, according to Ferrara.